Abulia
Abulia, also known as apathy, psychic akinesia, and athymia, refers to a lack of will, drive, or initiative for action, speech and thought, and is felt to be related to dysfunctions with the brain's dopamine - dependent circuitry. Abulia is an illness that usually occurs after an injury to an area or areas of the brain. It’s associated with brain lesions. While abulia can exist on its own, it’s often found in conjunction with other disorders. These disorders can either be neurological or psychiatric in nature.
Symptoms
• loss of productivity, effort, and initiative
• emotional indifference
• lack of plans and goals
• less or absence of speech or action
• lack of emotional responses to important life events
• less goal-oriented thoughts
• diminished social interest
• poor attention
• being easily distracted
Treatment Options
There is no cure for abulia, but several medications and therapies may be used to treat and manage the disease’s symptoms. The first line of treatment is typically focused on the underlying disorder or condition causing the abulia.
Medications:
Most of the medications used to treat abulia manage, in one way or another, the level of dopamine in the brain. Drugs commonly used include:
• Carbidopa-levodopa works by converting naturally to dopamine in the brain.
• Dopamine agonists such as bromocriptine. These medications work by simulating the effects of dopamine in the brain.
• Bupropion, which inhibits the reabsorption of dopamine by nerve cells
• Nefiracetam
• Olanzapine
• Agomelatine
Physical therapy may be helpful for some people with abulia. Family therapy may help the patient and their loved ones cope with the complications of the disorder.
For more information: https://unitedbrainassociation.org/brain-resources/abulia/